Chapter 13
Sometimes it is really misfortunes that never come singly.
After the situation of Peter. New question came up soon, the position of chef in ZACA Spanish Market, which was originally intended for the Spanish Chef Willy, it wasn`t happen.
Chef Willy even tried dishes at Lulu Club together with all investors and was highly recognized by Lucas’s friend who worked on Bund.
However, Lucas, the shareholder, ultimately failed to offer him the contract of performance commission. Usually, if I was Lucas. I might do the same. As a result, Chef Willy gave up one month before the restaurant’s opening. Moreover, Willy recommended a Spanish chef, which, in Chinese terms, was a definite faux pas. They had to rely on another friend of his to take the lead.
But as a Chinese saying goes, we wouldnt like to change the chef before the opening of the restaurant, like we wouldnt change the general before the war.
The opening party was wonderful. Then it became quieter and quieter every day. Under the double predicaments, the ZACA Spanish market continued to suffer losses, approximately 2 millions in the past year or so. Business was in a hurry because of the decline.
Among the shareholders, Albert, another expert in the Spanish wine trade, recognized chef Willy’s talent and hired him to cook for the wine promotion meeting. Someone didn`t like this situation. Someone just ignored it. I had to say that Albert used his company to take care his future friend in business and It was smart with longterm perspective.
Chef Willy was thrilled to travel around China during the event and at the wine office, meeting various beautiful Chinese girls. One person from the wine office told me that he always started with “hello Baby” and “How are you baby” as a friendly greeting to the ladies in the office after the wine dinner, but then the ladies would scream “Don`t touch me”. What a lovely guy!
Now when we look back, Mr. Albert was the smart fellow who retained Willy because he recognized his talent. And he was waiting for another opportunity, even though there were some complaints from his other partners. Imagine why you kept him after he did not get into the concept ZACA? But Mr.Albert just opened his heart because no one signed chef Willy.
Since the business of ZACA restaurant was sinking. All partners got concerns every day and everyone tried to find solutions. Time flew.It 's been over 5 months leaking.
One day Mr.Alexie invited Ben, a chef from San Francisco in the United States, and also recommended Leli, a designer from Taiwan, to renovate and decorate the store. They started Mexican food and the business began to improve gradually. Alexie even put some money into that lady as an investment in the design business.
Nice plan of Alexie.It`s a wonderful change. After two months, the business of the store began to improve step by step. The shareholders’ losses were also controlled in time.
Shareholder Albert’s girlfriend also started a small supermarket business importing discount food in the billiard room next to the store at this time. I also knew that Albert had little investment, but the wine he sold must appear on the wine list in the store. That’s a good plan.
It sounded like everything went smoothly. Life always offered you various gifts.
One early morning, I received a call from Lucas saying that the light box of the shop in front of the community had been broken.
I rushed to the store immediately and began to discuss with Lucas and Alexie on this urgent situation.They were waiting at sofa area of ZACA.